Explore China
Explore China
Explore China
12 Days Starting in Shanghai and ending in Beijing
Visiting: Shanghai, Shanghai , Luoyang, Shaolin – Luoyang, Longmen – Xi'an, Xi'an, Xiahe, Lanzhou – Beijing, Beijing
Tour operator:
Tour code:
CBKS
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 12
Physical rating:
Low, Low
Age range:
15-99 years
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Cultural, History, Religion and Spiritual, Ruins-Archaeology
Activities:
From:
$3364
$3028 (USD)
Operator discount: -$336
Tour Overview
Capture the spirit of China on this 12-day tour from Shanghai to Beijing. From fast-paced modern cities to the well-preserved remnants of a long and storied history, this adventure reveals the many sides of one of the world’s great cradles of civilisation. We think it’s important to contrast the big and the bold with quiet moments and real connections. That’s why our tour of the Terracotta Warriors finishes with lunch at a local family home, and why we spend a few days in the Tibetan Buddhist town of Xiahe before tackling boisterous Beijing. Whether you’re scaling the Great Wall or sharing crispy Beijing (Peking) duck with your fellow travellers, this tour is packed with unforgettable moments.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Shanghai
Location: Shanghai
Accommodation: Hotel
Nimen Hao! Welcome to Shanghai. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm where you'll meet your tour leader and fellow travellers. If you arrive with time to spare, maybe head to the newest crown jewel of Shanghai skyscrapers - Shanghai Tower, for a birdview of the city, or visit the Shanghai Propaganda Poster Art Center or Shanghai Urban Exhibition Hall (both closed on Monday) for different tastes of the city's past and future. Your evening is free after the welcome meeting but consider heading out with your group afterwards for a dinner on your leader’s recommendation.
Included Activities:
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Optional Activities:
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Day 2: Shanghai
Location: Shanghai
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast, dinner
Today join your leader for a walking tour to historical Shanghai. Get a taste of 1920s Shanghai at the Bund, a spectacular array of art-deco style buildings lining what was once the most important financial street in Asia. The afternoon is free for you to explore the city. Perhaps stroll the tree-lined streets of the French Concession, visit one of the tranquil temples or contemporary art galleries, or indulge in a little shopping. Rejoin your group tonight for an included dinner of local specialties.
Included Activities:
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Optional Activities:
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Day 3: Luoyang
Location: Luoyang
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
The complex and spectacular Yuyuan Gardens await you this morning. A classic example of traditional Chinese gardening, these lands were first crafted by Pan Yunduan during the Ming Dynasty as a place of comfort and enjoyment for his parents. From the serenity of the gardens to the rush of high speed train travel! Board a westbound train and relax as the scenery whisks by. Arrive in Luoyang in the early evening. Ancient China’s prosperous capital for many dynasties, archaeological digs of the surrounding countryside have unearthed some fascinating ancient treasures. After settling into your hotel, perhaps venture to the Old Town for dinner with the group.
Included Activities:
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Day 4: Shaolin – Luoyang
Location: Shaolin – Luoyang
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch
Today, travel to the legendary birthplace of kung fu – the Shaolin Monastery (approximately 3 hours). The monastery remains the primary source of Shaolin Buddhist training to this day. Learn about the warrior monks of Shaolin and how the martial art has changed over the centuries. Watch an athletic kung fu performance and then wander through the Pagoda Forest, where respected monks have been laid to rest in towering tombs since AD791. For lunch enjoy a vegetarian feast at nearby Yongtai Temple. Head back to Luoyang after lunch and enjoy a free evening in Luoyang. As night falls, you’ll see thousands of colourful lamps light the streets and squares across the city, creating a lovely ambiance.
Included Activities:
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Optional Activities:
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Day 5: Longmen – Xi'an
Location: Longmen – Xi'an
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast, dinner
This morning you'll drive to the Longmen Grottoes (approximately 40 mins). These 2100 caves, filled with more than 100,000 statues of Buddha dating back as far as the fourth century, are rare examples of exquisite Buddhist rock carving. Learn more about this UNESCO World Heritage-listed site as you explore some of the masterpieces with your leader. In the afternoon, take a bullet train from Luoyang to Xi'an (approximately 2 hours), arriving in the early evening. Xi'an, capital for 13 dynasties and kingdoms over the last 2500 years, is not only rich in ancient history but also full of life. Muslim quarter is a local favorite for great food experiences. Join your leader for a sizzling local dinner here in the evening. In your free time, don't miss out on a bike ride on the ancient city wall, or a visit to the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda.
Included Activities:
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Day 6: Xi'an
Location: Xi'an
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch
Visit Xi'an's most famous site today, the Terracotta Warriors. You'll travel by bus (approximately 2 hours) to reach the site. Once there, you will hear all about this incredible archaeological find, which was uncovered by farmers digging a well in 1976. Until then, the site had been buried for thousands of years. These clay statues of soldiers, horses, and chariots all standing in battle formation were commissioned by the emperor of the Qin dynasty as part of his mausoleum and a number of pits are now on display to the public. Enjoy a local lunch nearby and return to Xi'an in the afternoon.
Included Activities:
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Day 7: Xiahe
Location: Xiahe
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
This morning you’ll get another taste of China’s efficient bullet trains as you travel about 3-hours west to Lanzhou. From there, transfer to the enchanting Tibetan town of Xiahe (another 3 hours). A place of pilgrimage for many Tibetans, Xiahe is as scenic as it is tranquil. Get acquainted with the town on a short walking tour with your leader. The rest of the day is yours to spend how you please.
Included Activities:
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Day 8: Xiahe
Location: Xiahe
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch
Visit the fascinating Labrang Monastery today and see Tibetan monks going about their daily rituals. The rest of the day will change depending on the season. From June to August, the group will head to the Sangke grasslands to visit nomadic Tibetans to learn about their life over some yak butter tea. If you’re travelling during the other months of the year, pay a visit to a Tibetan family in town and enjoy a deliciously home-cooked lunch. The evening is free for you to do as you please.
Included Activities:
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Day 9: Lanzhou – Beijing
Location: Lanzhou – Beijing
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
Today is largely made up of travel. Head back to Lanzhou (about 4 hours), then catch an afternoon flight to Beijing, arriving in China’s capital in the late afternoon. After settling into your hotel, you will have the rest of the day free to explore bustling Beijing. Depending on the time of your arrival, you can choose to visit one of the many historical sites in the city or check out one of the shows that are on in the evening. Your leader is a wealth of suggestions for optional activities and places to eat, to be sure to ask them for advice.
Day 10: Beijing
Location: Beijing
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch
Today, explore the legendary Great Wall. Take a private bus to the Mutianyu section of the wall. (approximately 1.5–2 hours). Spend some time exploring the wall, including guard towers that date back to the Ming dynasty-era. You can either walk to the wall or take a cable car (at your own expense). When returning, you can walk, take a cable car or take a toboggan ride. The latter is highly recommended!
Included Activities:
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Day 11: Beijing
Location: Beijing
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast, dinner
Today visit Tiananmen Square, one of the world's largest downtown squares then you’llenter the Forbidden City, former home of China’s imperial rulers. Discover its many palaces, gardens, and courtyards. Then head to an area known for its hutongs (narrow streets and alleys) and explore the historic streets. Although Beijing is modernising rapidly (its contemporary culture is a huge source of fascination in itself), there are still some pockets in which to discover the nation's ancient roots. Enjoy a classic dinner tonight with the perhaps the most well known of all the capital's dishes – Beijing (or Peking) Duck.
Included Activities:
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Optional Activities:
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Day 12: Beijing
Location: Beijing
Meals Included: breaksfast
Your trip comes to an end this morning after breakfast. Staying an extra few days in Beijing is highly recommended, as there is so much to see and do.
What's Included
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Beijing - Beijing duck dinner
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Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
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Shanghai - Leader-led walking tour
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Shanghai - Yuyuan Gardens
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Shaolin - Temple, Pagoda Forest & Kung Fu show (entrace fee and transport included, leader-led)
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Shaolin - Buddhist vegetarian lunch
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Xi'an - Terracotta Warriors Tour (entrace fee, transport, local guide included)
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Luoyang - Longmen Grottoes (entrance fee, transport included)
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Xi'an - Home-cooked lunch
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Xiahe - Leader-led orientation walk
What's Not Included
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Tipping and Gratuities
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International Travel
Transport
- CHINA TRAIN TRAVEL SECURITY
- When travelling by train in China you will need to pass through security checkpoints similar to those at airports. Please be aware that items that may be classified as ‘weapons’ might be confiscated (even from your suitcase), as all luggage travels in the compartment with you. We recommend leaving items that fall into this category (eg. pocket knives or scissors) at home. Aerosol spray bottles are not permitted on high-speed trains and can get confiscated at the station.
Accommodation
- The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.
- Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available.
- HOTEL ROOMS:
- Some travellers have reported that hotels/accommodation in this region tend to have harder bed mattresses than those they are used to at home. You may like to request an extra quilt or bedding from the hotels if you find this an issue.
- SMOKING ROOMS:
- Smoking is prevalent in China and hotels generally do not offer specific non-smoking rooms. Larger hotels with central air conditioning will sometimes transport the smell of smoke between rooms. While we ask our hotels to ensure our rooms are well cleaned and ventilated well before occupation in some cases this is not possible, and the smell of smoke may linger. Please speak to your leader about the possibility of changing rooms if you encounter this.
- WIFI:
- WiFi is often available in hotel reception areas and sometimes in rooms. Your leader will be able to advise on the best places to get connected.
Included Activities
- Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
- Shanghai - Leader-led walking tour
- Shanghai - Yuyuan Gardens
- Shaolin - Temple, Pagoda Forest & Kung Fu show (entrace fee and transport included, leader-led)
- Shaolin - Buddhist vegetarian lunch
- Luoyang - Longmen Grottoes (entrance fee, transport included)
- Xi'an - Terracotta Warriors Tour (entrace fee, transport, local guide included)
- Xi'an - Home-cooked lunch
- Xiahe - Leader-led orientation walk
- Xiahe - Labrang Monastery (entrance fee, local guide)
- Xiahe - Tibetan family visit & lunch
- Xiahe - Sangke Grassland (transport included)
- Beijing - Mutianyu Great Wall (entransce fee, transfer included)
- Beijing - Leader-led Hutong walking tour
- Beijing - Forbidden City (entrance fee included)
- Beijing - Beijing duck dinner
Important Information
- 1.A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
- 2. A scanned copy of the personal details page of your passport is required no later than 40 days before departure in order for us to purchase your train and flight tickets.
- 3. Parts of your trip go above 2800 metres (9200 feet) where it is common for travellers to experience some adverse health effects due to the altitude – regardless of your age, gender, and fitness. If you have concerns, discuss this with your doctor before leaving.
- 4. While traveling through mainland China you will not be able to access some popular internet websites like Google, Facebook, Instagram and others. You can consider getting a VPN for access to these websites before leaving if necessary.
- 5. A complimentary airport arrival transfer is included; valid if you are arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-tour accommodation through us. You must provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel.
Check out our Q&As
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Are internal flights included in this tour?
Yes,
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Is this trip right for you
The best way to experience a place is by doing as the locals do – and in this case that means using public transport such as trams, buses or metro at some locations. It’s better for the environment and you’ll get an authentic look at daily life, just be aware you may find yourself sharing a busy bus ride with local commuters (for example). Train travel in China may not be entirely luxurious, but it's certainly one of the best ways to come face-to-face with the country and its people.
This trip travels to altitudes of up to 3100 metres above sea level and as a result, some travellers can feel the effects of altitude sickness, regardless of age or physical health.
In order to see as much as possible, this tour includes some long journeys. Please read the itinerary carefully for travel time estimates.
You'll need a reasonable level of fitness for the Great Wall walk. Shoes with good support and grip are essential. There are many steps and slopes on the way, so be prepared for a tough climb in sections. You are free to walk as far as you want, and it is possible to reach the section we visit via cable car. -
What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room
Reviews of this Operator
Dates & Availability
Sunday - Thursday
May 12, 2024 - May 23, 2024Sunday - Thursday
May 19, 2024 - May 30, 2024Sunday - Thursday
Jul 14, 2024 - Jul 25, 2024Sunday - Thursday
Sep 01, 2024 - Sep 12, 2024Sunday - Thursday
Sep 15, 2024 - Sep 26, 2024Sunday - Thursday
Oct 13, 2024 - Oct 24, 2024Sunday - Thursday
Oct 20, 2024 - Oct 31, 2024Saturday - Wednesday
Mar 08, 2025 - Mar 19, 2025Saturday - Wednesday
Mar 22, 2025 - Apr 02, 2025Saturday - Wednesday
Apr 12, 2025 - Apr 23, 2025Saturday - Wednesday
May 10, 2025 - May 21, 2025Saturday - Wednesday
May 17, 2025 - May 28, 2025Saturday - Wednesday
Jun 14, 2025 - Jun 25, 2025Saturday - Wednesday
Jul 12, 2025 - Jul 23, 2025Saturday - Wednesday
Aug 30, 2025 - Sep 10, 2025Saturday - Wednesday
Sep 13, 2025 - Sep 24, 2025Saturday - Wednesday
Oct 11, 2025 - Oct 22, 2025Book with Confidence
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Free Date Changes
Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 400 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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COVID Protection
Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards
From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19.
However, we continue to strongly recommend that all travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and other Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.
This policy excludes all Polar trips and select adventure cruises, where testing and vaccination remains a requirement. Please refer to the Essential Trip Information of your chosen tour for more details. -
Terms and Conditions